Obesity and Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines: Gene Expression Patterns Within Cervical Cancer Progression

Cervical cancer (CC) remains a significant global health concern, characterized by high incidence rates. Concurrently, the obesity epidemic continues to expand, affecting millions worldwide. Dysregulation of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines can promote chronic inflammation, which contributes to the pathogenesis of various diseases, including cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the gene expression levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and VEGF during CC progression in patients across different weight categories: normal weight, overweight, and obese.

Cervical samples were classified according to cervical diagnosis and body mass index (BMI). Gene expression levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and VEGF were assessed through PCR, and the Relative Expression Index was calculated using the 18S gene as a housekeeping reference.

Eighty-one women from the Colposcopy Clinic of Health Jurisdiction II in Ciudad Juarez were evaluated and classified into four groups: no intraepithelial lesion (NIL) (n=18), low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) (n=22), high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) (n=24), and CC (n=17). These groups were also classified based on BMI. The overexpression of TNF-α (p=0.036), IL-6, and IL-10 increased with the severity of cervical lesions, whereas IL-8 expression was suppressed (p=0.53) as cervical pathology progressed. According to BMI, a trend toward overexpression of IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α was observed with increasing adipose tissue in HSIL and CC. On the other hand, IL-8 and VEGF expression appeared to be repressed regardless of intraepithelial lesion grade or obesity status.

Obesity is a risk factor for the development of CC by promoting a proinflammatory environment combined with a VPH infection.